The Sea Candle: A Historic Landmark In Kamakura

when was the sea candle built kamakura

The Enoshima Sea Candle, officially known as the Enoshima Lighthouse Observation Tower, is a famous tourist attraction in Kamakura, Japan. It is a beautiful fusion of modern design, natural splendour, and local culture. The Sea Candle was built in 2003, though its history dates back to 1951 when the first lighthouse was built and dubbed the Peace Tower. The tower stands tall in the heart of Enoshima Island, offering stunning ocean views and a unique experience with its seasonal light displays. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views from the observation deck, including the panoramic vista of the ocean, Kamakura, and Mount Fuji in the distance.

Characteristics Values
Name Enoshima Sea Candle
Location Enoshima Island, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa, Japan
Construction Date 2003
Height 59.8 meters from ground level and 119.6 meters above sea level
Observation Deck Height 101.56 meters above sea level
Opening Hours 9 AM to 8 PM
Features Panoramic views, seasonal light displays, indoor and outdoor observation decks
Nearby Attractions Enoshima Shrine, Enoshima Aquarium, Enoshima Iwaya Caves, Enoshima Samuel Cocking-en, Enoshima Benten Bridge

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The Enoshima Sea Candle was built in 2003

The Enoshima Sea Candle, officially known as the Enoshima Lighthouse Observation Tower, was built in 2003. It is a tower of light with stunning ocean views in Shonan. The tower is 59.8 meters from ground level and 119.6 meters above sea level. The Sea Candle was constructed next to the Enoshima Lighthouse, which was built in 1951. The observation decks on the Sea Candle opened to the general public on 29 April 2003.

The Enoshima Sea Candle is located in the Samuel Cocking Garden on Enoshima Island, a small tidal island in Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan. The island is just off the coast but is connected to the mainland by a bridge. It is a short train ride west of Kamakura. The tower is a beautiful fusion of modern design, natural splendour, and local culture. It offers breathtaking views and seasonal light displays. The outdoor observation deck offers panoramic views of the ocean, Kamakura, and an expansive view of Japan. Visitors can even see Tokyo and the Tokyo Skytree from the Sea Candle.

The Enoshima Sea Candle is more than just a lighthouse. It is an iconic local landmark with a sleek, candle-like shape that seems to float above the Shonan coastline. The area around the Sea Candle is full of spiritual and natural gems. Enoshima Shrine, a historical shrine made up of three separate sanctuaries on the island, is well-known for its dragon legends and Benzaiten worship. The shrine is dedicated to the Buddhist goddess Benten, known for good fortune, wealth, and music.

The Enoshima Sea Candle is a popular attraction for visitors to Enoshima Island. Visitors can reach the Sea Candle by climbing the stairs or purchasing Enoshima Escalator tickets, which include admission to escalators that will take them to the top of the island. The Sea Candle is open daily from 9 am to 8 pm, and the best times to visit are during sunset or in winter when the tower is illuminated.

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It is officially the Enoshima Lighthouse Observation Tower

The Enoshima Sea Candle, officially the Enoshima Lighthouse Observation Tower, is a beautiful fusion of modern design, natural splendour, and local culture. It stands tall in the heart of Enoshima Island in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa, with a sleek, candle-like shape that seems to float above the Shonan coastline. It is an iconic landmark, offering panoramic views of the ocean, Kamakura, and Japan, as well as an expansive view of Mount Fuji on clear days. The tower is 59.8 meters above ground level and 119.6 meters above sea level, with an enclosed observation deck at 101.56 meters. The open-air terrace above offers a full 360-degree panoramic view.

The Enoshima Sea Candle has a history that dates back to 1951 when the first lighthouse, dubbed the "Peace Tower," was built using a repurposed parachute training tower from Setagaya. The current tower was built in 2003, with its nickname chosen through a public vote in 2010. The Sea Candle is more than just a lighthouse; it is a symbol of postwar hope and a cherished site for locals. It offers a unique experience with breathtaking views and seasonal light displays. The illumination changes four times a year to match each season: spring is green, summer is blue, autumn is orange and yellow, and winter is purple.

The area surrounding the Sea Candle is rich in spiritual and natural gems. Enoshima Shrine, a historical shrine made up of three separate sanctuaries on the island, is known for its dragon legends and Benzaiten worship. The shrine is dedicated to the Buddhist goddess Benten, who is associated with good fortune, wealth, and music. Enoshima Island itself is famous for its hot springs, or onsen, and offers spectacular views of the ocean and Mount Fuji. The island has a beautiful English-style garden, an aquarium, and the Sea Candle lighthouse and observatory as popular attractions.

Visitors can reach the Sea Candle by stairs or via the paid Enoshima Escar escalator from the island's base. The tower is generally open from 9 am to 8 pm, with daytime visits offering sweeping vistas. However, the best times to visit are during sunset or in winter when the "Shonan no Hoseki" illumination event transforms the tower into a beacon of lights. The winter illumination display has been named one of the "Top 3 Illuminations in Kanto" and is recognised as a “Night View Heritage of Japan."

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The tower stands 119.6m above sea level

The Enoshima Sea Candle, officially the Enoshima Lighthouse Observation Tower, is a towering structure that illuminates the heart of Enoshima Island in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa. Standing at 119.6 metres above sea level, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

The tower's sleek and elegant design evokes the graceful silhouette of a candle, floating above the Shonan coastline. This distinctive shape, combined with its impressive height, makes it an iconic landmark visible from various vantage points. The Sea Candle's height of 119.6 metres above sea level is a significant factor in its ability to provide stunning vistas. From this elevated perspective, visitors can take in sweeping views of the ocean, enhancing the tower's reputation as a must-visit destination.

The tower's observation deck sits at 101.56 metres above sea level, providing a unique perspective of the island and its surroundings. The enclosed deck offers protection from the elements while showcasing the beauty of the area. Above the enclosed deck is an open-air terrace, which offers an uninterrupted 360-degree panoramic view. This terrace is a popular spot for visitors seeking an immersive experience of the surrounding natural splendour.

The Enoshima Sea Candle is more than just a lighthouse; it is a fusion of modern design, natural beauty, and local culture. The tower's illumination showcases its commitment to celebrating the landscape and nature. The lighting display changes four times a year to match the seasons, with spring in green, summer in blue, autumn in orange and yellow, and winter in purple. This seasonal illumination earned the tower a distinction in the top three illuminations in the Kanto region in 2012 and the Japan Night View Heritage in 2013.

The Enoshima Sea Candle's height of 119.6 metres above sea level is a crucial aspect of its functionality as a lighthouse and its role in promoting local tourism. The tower's elevation provides a strategic vantage point for navigation and offers visitors a unique perspective of the area, including potential glimpses of Mount Fuji on clear days. The tower's height also contributes to its iconic status, making it a recognisable symbol of Shonan and a beloved landmark for locals and visitors alike.

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The Enoshima Sea Candle is a popular attraction in Kamakura, a city in Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan. It is officially known as the Enoshima Lighthouse Observation Tower and stands tall in the heart of Enoshima Island in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa. Its sleek, candle-like shape seems to float above the Shonan coastline, making it an iconic local landmark. Built in 2003, its current nickname was chosen through a public vote in 2010 and has since become beloved for its graceful silhouette. Its history dates back to 1951 when the first lighthouse—made from a repurposed parachute training tower from Setagaya—was built and dubbed the "Peace Tower."

The Enoshima Sea Candle is more than just a lighthouse; it is a beautiful fusion of modern design, natural splendour, and local culture. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views from the observation deck, which sits at 101.56 meters above sea level, while an open-air terrace above offers a full 360-degree panoramic view. The best times to visit are during sunset or in winter when the "Shonan no Hoseki" illumination event transforms the tower into a beacon of lights. This winter display has been named one of the "Top 3 Illuminations in Kanto" and is also recognised as a Japan Night View Heritage site.

The area around the Sea Candle is full of spiritual and natural gems. Enoshima Shrine, a historical shrine made up of three separate sanctuaries on the island, is well-known for its dragon legends and Benzaiten worship. The deity Benzaiten is known for good fortune, wealth, and music, and she is often depicted holding a lute. The shrine is a collection of three shrines scattered across the island, with the first, Hetsumiya, originally built in 1206, followed by Nakatsumiya, founded in 853, and Okutsumiya, which dates from 1841 after the original was destroyed in a storm.

Enoshima Island itself is a popular destination, famous for its hot springs and onsen. The island has spectacular views of the ocean and Mount Fuji on clear days. It also has an English-style garden, an aquarium, and the Sea Candle lighthouse and observatory. The island is home to the Naked Goddess, the deity of entertainment, which may be why it is considered home to a fun-loving beach community and is particularly popular among sightseeing couples in the summertime. Kamakura, meanwhile, is known for its historical landmarks such as Tsurugaoka Hachimangū and the Great Buddha of Kamakura. It suffered significant losses of historical and cultural assets due to the Great Kantō Earthquake in 1923 but continues to be one of the major tourist attractions in the Kanto region.

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It is known for its seasonal light displays

The Enoshima Sea Candle, officially the Enoshima Lighthouse Observation Tower, is known for its seasonal light displays. Located in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa, the tower stands tall in the heart of Enoshima Island. Built in 2003, the Sea Candle rises 59.8 metres from ground level and 119.6 metres above sea level. Its sleek, candle-like shape seems to float above the Shonan coastline, making it an iconic local landmark.

The Sea Candle offers breathtaking views and seasonal light displays. As night falls and the tower begins to glow, it becomes an intimate and extraordinary experience. The illumination changes four times a year to match each season: spring is green, summer is blue, autumn is orange and yellow, and winter is purple. The winter display, called "Shonan no Hoseki", has been named one of the Top 3 Illuminations in Kanto and is recognised as a Night View Heritage of Japan.

The Sea Candle can be reached by stairs or via the paid Enoshima Escar escalator from the island's base. The observation deck sits at 101.56 metres above sea level, while an open-air terrace above offers a full 360-degree panoramic view. The best times to visit are during sunset or in winter when the tower is transformed into a beacon of lights.

The area around the Sea Candle is full of spiritual and natural gems, including the Enoshima Shrine, a historical shrine made up of three separate sanctuaries on the island. Enoshima Island itself is famous for its Shrine founded in 552 and is dedicated to the Buddhist goddess Benten, known for good fortune, wealth and music. The island also features an English-style garden, an aquarium, and caves with tidal pools and sacred Buddhist statues.

Frequently asked questions

The Enoshima Sea Candle was built in 2003.

The Enoshima Sea Candle is a lighthouse observation tower with a distinctive candle-like shape. It is considered a symbol of Shonan.

The Sea Candle rises 59.8 meters from ground level and 119.6 meters above sea level. The observation deck sits at 101.56 meters above sea level.

The Sea Candle offers panoramic views of the ocean, Kamakura, and Mount Fuji. Visitors can enjoy seasonal light displays and watch the sunset. There are also nearby gardens, caves, temples, and shrines to explore.

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